Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/88

Rh prove that 'St. Patrick read the Scriptures from the Greek language alone.'

We have for convenience sake numbered the Sayings, and append them here, with the addition of a few notes:—

1. 'I had the fear of God as the guide of my journey through the Gauls [per Gallias] and Italy, even in the islands which are in the Tyrrhenian Sea.'

The latter portion of this saying, from 'through the Gauls,' is incorporated into Tirechan's notes or collections of facts concerning Patrick found in the Book of Armagh. (Rolls edition, p. 302.) Dr. W. Stokes says that these notes are said to have been 'written from the dictation or copied from a book (ex ore vel libra) of his foster-father or tutor. Bishop Altán of Ardbraccan, who died A.D. 656.' (Rolls edition of Tripartite Life, p. xci.) If the 'saying' be genuine, Patrick must have visited Italy. But the evidence is weak, and will not bear much weight to be put upon it.

2. 'From the world ye have passed on to Paradise.'

The saying quoted occurs in the Epistle to Coroticus, §9, p. 78.

3. 'Thanks be to God!'

This saying, which is found in the Coroticus, p. 78, and in the Confession, pp. 54, 57, 64 (compare also pp. 60, 66, 68), is entitled, from the frequency of its occurrence, to be numbered separately. The saying is well